The tension in the room was palpable, with Mr. Justin’s fury reaching its boiling point, and the other managers exchanging uneasy glances. Mr. George, who Mr. Justin's believed would be his staunch supporter was now bowing to Robert, the very man he had underestimated. The shift was so sudden, so unimaginable, that it left Mr. Justin in a state of shock. He was still clutching his aching stomach, struggling to stand upright, his face a mixture of pain and confusion. Yet, his fury was far from subdued. He glared at Mr. George, his voice thick with skepticism and dripping with sarcasm.“What’s gotten into you, George?” Mr. Justin spat, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. “Bowing to this boy? Have you lost your mind?”But before Mr. George could respond, the door swung open again, and all eyes turned to the entrance. As the figure stepped into the room, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by stunned silence. The managers and directors
Madam President settled into her chair, she forced herself to speak calmly, though the tension in her voice was unmistakable. "I welcome everyone to this meeting," she began, her tone clipped but courteous, "even though circumstances have made this a rather unusual session."As she spoke, the door at the far end of the room creaked open, drawing the attention of everyone present. A group of individuals entered, their demeanor and attire signaling that they were no ordinary guests. These were the important shareholders and stakeholders of the company, people whose presence carried significant weight in any discussion.Madam President's eyes brightened with a sharpness that was difficult to miss. "Ah, it seems the people we've been expecting have arrived," she said, her voice regaining its usual authoritative tone. The air in the room grew even tenser as the newcomers took their seats, their expressions serious as they exchanged glances with one another, clearly aware that they had w
A wave of shock swept through the boardroom like a storm. Gasps of disbelief filled the air as every eye turned to Robert, who sat calmly, now the center of attention. When Madam President uttered the name, "Mr. Robert Edward," the entire room froze, as if time itself had stopped. The directors and stakeholders exchanged stunned glances, their previous confidence crumbling in an instant. The weight of the revelation hit them like a sledgehammer, leaving them reeling.The announcement landed like a bomb, detonating in the minds of every director, stakeholder, and manager seated around the grand table.Mr. Justin, who had been glaring triumphantly at Robert moments earlier, blinked in disbelief. His smug grin faltered, replaced by a mixture of confusion and shock. He turned his head sharply toward Madam President, as if hoping he’d misheard. His lips parted, but no words came out he was utterly blindsided.Another director, an elderly man who had long believed himself to be the heir a
As the reality of Oliver's decision sank in, a chorus of murmurs filled the room."Is this really happening?" one manager whispered to a colleague, his voice trembling with shock. "I never thought I’d see this day…""Poor Justin," another director muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "I almost feel sorry for him… almost."“Karma, plain and simple,” someone else remarked coldly, leaning back in their chair. “He had it coming, the way he treated everyone.”"This is surreal," a younger manager said, her eyes wide with disbelief. "One moment he’s on top, the next he’s being thrown out."“Talk about a fall from grace,” another chimed in, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. “He finally met his match.”"Who would’ve thought? Justin, begging for mercy," someone muttered from the back, unable to hide the irony in their voice. “Serves him right,” another said quietly. “You can’t treat people like that and expect to get away with it forever.”Mr. Justin, brimming with anger, stood up abr
Two days later, on a Saturday morning, Robert stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt. He had decided on a simple, understated outfit: a crisp white button-up shirt, tucked neatly into a pair of slim, dark blue chinos. He opted for brown loafers, polished to a subtle shine, and a black leather belt to pull the look together. No flashy watches or accessories, just the kind of simplicity that spoke of confidence and respect. He figured it was best to keep things modest for this nerve-wracking occasion.He sighed deeply, glancing at himself one final time in the mirror as he wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. His nerves were getting the better of him, and the thought of meeting Lily's strict parents only made it worse. Lily had already called him more than five times that morning, asking if he was ready, each call making him even more on edge. She was clearly nervous, and her constant questioning was transferring some of that anxiety onto him. Meeting parents for a
Mrs. Hartley, who had been watching Robert intently, finally broke the silence, her voice measured and sharp. “So, Robert,” she began, folding her hands on her lap, “how did you meet our daughter, Lily?Robert cleared his throat, feeling the weight of the question. “We met at a coffee shop some months back,” he began, glancing at Lily for reassurance. “It was a bit unexpected, but we hit it off. We spent time getting to know each other and eventually realized we had a strong connection.” He smiled gently at Lily, but Mrs. Hartley’s expression remained neutral.Mr. Hartley leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “And what do you do for a living, Robert? How exactly do you plan on providing for our daughter?” His tone was slightly condescending, as if doubting Robert’s ability to measure up.Robert felt a bead of sweat form at the back of his neck, but he remained calm. “I’m involved in business,” he answered carefully, not wanting to reveal too much just yet. I’ve worked my way up, and I
Lily, noticing Robert’s discomfort, squeezed his hand reassuringly, but Robert’s frustration was mounting. His heart raced, and though he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes betrayed his growing irritation. Jonathan’s smug grin only intensified Robert’s frustration, and his fists involuntarily tightened.Jonathan, sensing the shift, continued with his mockery. “I must say, it’s quite... surprising to see you here. I never would have imagined someone like you... well, you know, sitting at this table.”He chuckled softly, glancing at Robert’s simple attire, as if to underscore the difference between them.Robert’s face hardened, and he felt a surge of anger bubbling inside. He bit the inside of his cheek, desperately trying to keep his composure. His mind raced as he considered responding, but he knew that engaging in a verbal sparring match with Jonathan now would only play into his hands.Sweat continued to bead on his forehead, and Robert took a deep breath, trying to ste
With his jaw clenched, Robert finally responded. “Jonathan, I’m not sure why you feel the need to drag this out, but you’re wrong. My accomplishments are my own, and I don’t need to prove myself to anyone—especially not to someone who doesn’t know the first thing about me.”His voice was steady, though the tension was palpable.As the tension in the room thickened, Lily’s mother, Grace, suddenly excused herself.“I’ll be right back,” she said sweetly, but there was something deliberate in the way she left. It felt more like she was abandoning Robert to the wolves, leaving him to fend for himself in an already hostile atmosphere.The moment Grace left, Jonathan seized the opportunity to escalate things. “So, Robert,” he sneered, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. “You really think someone like you could ever be enough for Lily? Let’s be real here, you’re way out of your depth. Lily deserves someone who can actually provide for her, not a... charity case.”Lily’s eyes flashed w